Experimental system for compounding nano and microstructic polymer composites and metal glass: Extruder

The experimental system for compounding nano and microstructic polymer composites and metal glass allows for fundamental research in the field of synthesis of polymer composites, metal glass, and metal and ceramic powder mixtures. The modular design of the system offers a study of the impact of process parameters on the microstructure and properties of composites, studies of the geometry of snails on the homogeneity of mixtures, mixing and kneading mechanism, study and measurement of the rheological properties of composite melt, studies of the influence of additives (stabilisers, lubricants, antioxidants, UV stabilizers, pigments, …) on the properties of melt, the influence of technological parameters on the homogeneity of the melt, the impact of crystallization on the structure and properties of metal glasses. The system also allows research into the ability of polymer composite mixtures – polymer alloys for recycling and enables the production of precursors for 3D printing and injection splashing.

The experimental system has a modular design and consists of the following components: (i) a twin-screw extruder with two gravimetric feeders, (ii) a conveyor belt, (iii) a pelletizer, (iv) a device for the production of films and filaments, and (v) an injection molding device and ( vi) rheometer. The experimental system enables extrusion in a temperature range of up to 450°C with an extrusion speed of 50 g/h to 2.5 kg/h with a very small total amount of components (≤ 20 g). It is possible to produce films with thicknesses between 0.1 and 1.1 mm and filaments of standard dimensions for use on FFF/FDM 3D printers. With a rotary rheometer, it is possible to characterize the rheological and mechanical properties of engineering polymers and composites in a wide temperature (10°C to 400°C) and load range.